We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our cookie policy unless you have disabled them.

Criminal Law

Criminal Law Questions? Ask a Criminal Lawyer.

Connect one-on-one with {0} who will answer your question

By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our cookie policy unless you have disabled them.

Shoplifting---Will Civil/Criminal Matter Be Pursued

Customer Question

Last evening, was in Shaw''s...

Last evening, was in Shaw''s Supermarket, made the stupid decision to eat part of a chocolate candy bar, valued at $4-5 because it is a dark 65% Cacao Chocolate, and I left the rest of the candy bar in the wrapper, on a shelf. As I was paying for the rest of my groceries at the register, $62 worth of groceries, as soon as I entered the first set of 2 double doors as i was leaving after making my purchase, a Boston police officer and loss prevention person in plain clothes from the store spoke to me, asked me to come to their office with them. They brought into their security office area in the store, then another store employee entered who stated he saw the whole thing happen with me eating part of the candy, and they had the remaining part of the candy bar that was in the store, I admitted all guilt, I filled out a form and signed it after they recorded all my information including SS#, was not arrested, officer was just there as a witness, was given a piece of paper with a number to call Shaw''s corporate office next week to discuss the matter and "talk to the peopl there" as I was told and this will supposedly determine how things will be settled. what are the odds that will I just have to pay whatever fine is given to me? will any civil or criminal evidence be on my record even if a fine is paid? will i have to mention this in job interview/job forms in the future?
i am 22 yrs old, college graduate, just basically had a lapse in judgement, will be going to store to express my sincere remorse, regret and sorrow over the matter, first time offender with nothing on my record except 1 speeding ticket

This does not appear that criminal charges will be pursued. It sounds as if you would be able to work out a fine directly to the Corporate office which would not involve any kind of record or detection from future employers. I suggest, you get everything in writing, however. For instance, that you will pay (certain amount of money) and that will be the end of it. Tell them they can suspend you from the store for a period, though you do spend a lot of money in there. You could have told a fib and said you forgot you put the candy on the shelve - that you meant to bring it to the cashier. But you are basically and honest person and therefore told the truth as to what happened. The bottomline is you want to make sure whatever deal is struck is put in writing.

Best to you,

If my answer has been helpful, please ACCEPT my answer so I get credit for my effort to help you . If I can be of further help, let me know. Appropriate FEEDBACK is appreciated as is a bonus. Thanks ~ Michelle

I was in my room on January 3 in the morning when my friend texted me and said my face was on the police department facebook page trying to identify me. It appeared I was in walmart. I called the poli… read more

I often and on several occasions took candy from a candy store by eating it right out of the bin. After doing it again, I was chased down by an employee outside of the store with the warning, "If you … read more

I was caught shoplifting in shaws supermarket in MA. I had to sign a form and they told me I could never shop there again. The amount of the items were $60. There were no policy involved. I am a senio… read more

Hi I was arrested for eating a chocolate worth eight dollar I have never been arrested before no criminal record what so ever . It happened in marryland USA .they give me a ticket and told I will have… read more

I was shopin at United supermarket on river road, i shop at least 3 times a week there and a loss prevention guy waited till me and my 3 year old got to the vehicle acused me of shoplifting i told him… read more

was arrested in georgia apprx 1986 while in college in statesboro ... i was 21 years old i think .... walked into store, asked clerk for a boxed cd player, she went in back and i took one off shelf an… read more

My 19 year old son recently was caught shoplifting a 85 cent candy bar from a post exchange on a federal reservation. He is scheduled to see the magistrate in a month and a half on the charges. From h… read more

If you are being accuse of shoplifting,but is not charge.I have spoking to the case investgator,he said the store want to press charge.He also said he'll be going in front off a judge to see if he'll … read more

This was at a national chain grocery store. I was approached after checking out about a few packs of gum that the attendant saw me pick up as I entered the store. They asked me if I had something I ha… read more

My wife dropped my son off at a quickshop to buy some snacks before going to work at Kmart 300ft away. My wife bought some Chesters cheese puffs for him. He didn't know they sold them in Kmart so my s… read more

Help please...I went to the store to price some wine bottles. I had no intention to buy at that time. As i perused to selection, I was interested in locating any bottles that didnt require a cork scre… read more

Hi dear lawyer, i stole a box of candies from a supermarket a year ago. A man caught me then brought me to the security office, he got all my information like a copy of my ID, he also needed me to wro… read more

Hello. I have a question about the first offender charges against shoplifting in NYC. Recently I was diagnosed with cancer and have been facing many losses in my life, and I had a whim to steal some c… read more

My son works for a grocery store. After work, he was was getting something to snack on, some chocolate (I believe the cost is about $5), as he was walking down the ailes, he saw a friend and went afte… read more

I was caught shoplifting produce in Whole foods in NYC and they brought me to the back and had me sign something that said I wouldn't enter Whole Foods again, (or I would be charged with tresspassing.… read more

I'd like to know the amount of time between retail theft charges for it to be considered a first or second offense. I was given a summary charge in 2005 because a store said I had stolen a can of hair… read more

I got caught shop lifting at a store I tried to get some candy bars and they brought me to the back I freaked out and made up a story then I came cleaned they said they weren't going to press charges … read more

i recently was arrested and charget ith shoplifting (under 200) at home depot i was a vendor working for them and around 8am i took a drill off the shelf opened it and used it for 8 hrs at the end of … read more

DISCLAIMER: Answers from Experts on JustAnswer are not substitutes for the advice of an attorney. JustAnswer is a public forum and questions and responses are not private or confidential or protected by the attorney-client privilege. The Expert above is not your attorney, and the response above is not legal advice. You should not read this response to propose specific action or address specific circumstances, but only to give you a sense of general principles of law that might affect the situation you describe. Application of these general principles to particular circumstances must be done by a lawyer who has spoken with you in confidence, learned all relevant information, and explored various options. Before acting on these general principles, you should hire a lawyer licensed to practice law in the jurisdiction to which your question pertains.

The responses above are from individual Experts, not JustAnswer. The site and services are provided “as is”. To view the verified credential of an Expert, click on the “Verified” symbol in the Expert’s profile. This site is not for emergency questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals. Please carefully read the Terms of Service (last updated February 8, 2012).

JustAnswer in the News:

Ask-a-doc Web sites: If you've got a quick question, you can try to get an answer from sites that say they have various specialists on hand to give quick answers... Justanswer.com.

JustAnswer.com...has seen a spike since October in legal questions from readers about layoffs, unemployment and severance.

I will tell you that...the things you have to go through to be an Expert are quite rigorous.

What Customers are Saying:

Your Expert advise has provided insight on a difficult situation. Thank you so much for the prompt response. I will definitely recommend your website to my friends.

NormaPensacola, FL

Mr. Kaplun clearly had an exceptional understanding of the issue and was able to explain it concisely. I would recommend JustAnswer to anyone. Great service that lives up to its promises!

Gary B.Edmond, OK

My Expert was fast and seemed to have the answer to my taser question at the tips of her fingers. Communication was excellent. I left feeling confident in her answer.

EricRedwood City, CA

I am very pleased with JustAnswer as a place to go for divorce or criminal law knowledge and insight.

MichaelWichita, KS

PaulMJD helped me with questions I had regarding an urgent legal matter. His answers were excellent.

Three H.Houston, TX

Anne was extremely helpful. Her information put me in the right direction for action that kept me legal, possible saving me a ton of money in the future. Thank you again, Anne!!

ElaineAtlanta, GA

It worked great. I had the facts and I presented them to my ex-landlord and she folded and returned my deposit. The 50 bucks I spent with you solved my problem.

TonyApopka, FL

< Previous | Next >

Meet the Experts:

Ely

Counselor at Law

3,249 satisfied customers

Private practice with focus on family, criminal, PI, consumer protection, and business consultation.

P. Simmons

Lawyer

2,269 satisfied customers

16 yrs. of experience including criminal law.

RobertJDFL

Lawyer

2,139 satisfied customers

Experienced in multiple areas of the law.

Nate

Lawyer

1,925 satisfied customers

Over 10 years of criminal defense practice.

LawTalk

Lawyer

1,815 satisfied customers

30 years legal experience

Marsha411JD

Lawyer

1,654 satisfied customers

Licensed attorney with 29 yrs. exp. in criminal law

Barrister

Criminal Defense Law

1,362 satisfied customers

17 years practicing criminal defense.

< Previous | Next >

DISCLAIMER: Answers from Experts on JustAnswer are not substitutes for the advice of an attorney. JustAnswer is a public forum and questions and responses are not private or confidential or protected by the attorney-client privilege. The Expert above is not your attorney, and the response above is not legal advice. You should not read this response to propose specific action or address specific circumstances, but only to give you a sense of general principles of law that might affect the situation you describe. Application of these general principles to particular circumstances must be done by a lawyer who has spoken with you in confidence, learned all relevant information, and explored various options. Before acting on these general principles, you should hire a lawyer licensed to practice law in the jurisdiction to which your question pertains.

The responses above are from individual Experts, not JustAnswer. The site and services are provided “as is”. To view the verified credential of an Expert, click on the “Verified” symbol in the Expert’s profile. This site is not for emergency questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals. Please carefully read the Terms of Service (last updated February 8, 2012).